Childbirth Education

Neuro

Region’s most comprehensive care of the brain, spine and central nervous system.

Location & Parking

The Neuro Unit is located on the fifth floor of the Center Tower, accessible from the Center Elevators.

Parking is available at the West Tower main entrance. Use the valet parking from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday or the west parking garage.

Expert neuro care

Wyoming Medical Center Neurosciences combines specialists in neurology, interventional radiology and neurosurgery to offer the region’s most comprehensive care of the brain, spine and central nervous system. This team approach means you always have the right specialist involved in your care.

Our physicians provide state-of-the-art diagnostics, treatment and follow-up care, all in a setting close to home. We offer physical, occupational and speech therapies for a true multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.

Our team provides care for a number of diseases and conditions, including but not limited to:

Stroke

Cerebrovascular Disease

Traumatic Head Injury

Epilepsy

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Herniated Discs

Degenerative Disc Disease

Spinal Stenosis

Parkinson’s Disease

Tumors

Specialists

Neurologistsspecialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles in both adults and children. Our neurologists are an integral part of our Primary Stroke Center, the state’s only such center certified by the Joint Commission. They also lead the team of experts in our Level 3 Epilepsy Center, the first in the region.

Interventional radiologiststreat diseases and other medical conditions through image-guided technology in real-time. From a 3-mm nick in your skin, they can access almost any system in the body. We have Wyoming’s only neurointerventional radiologist and our 24-7 coverage of interventional radiologists allow us to treat stroke and other emergency conditions using the latest evidence-based technology.

Neurosurgeons specialize in caring for your brain, spine and central nervous system. Neurosurgery is one of the most sophisticated surgical specialties at Wyoming Medical Center. Only a handful of hospitals in the Rocky Mountain regions provide such a high level of medical expertise. We are home to Wyoming’s first Stealth Station System and O-arm technology which offers surgeons greater precision in complex operations and cuts down on operating time.

Fast, expert stroke care

Wyoming Medical Center has been awarded the American Stroke Association’s highest level of recognition for quick treatment of stroke patients in our Emergency Room. Out of about 1,000 stroke centers in the country, we were one of just about 30 to achieve the highest possible designation.

'Like a miracle'

Douglas woman Rebecca Renstrom used to think a stroke meant suffering through life-long deficits. But when she walked out of Wyoming Medical Center 2 1/2 days after hers, her family members couldn't even tell she'd had a stroke.

“I think the most amazing thing about this case is how well our system of care worked,” said David Wheeler, M.D., Ph.D. “Mrs. Renstrom’s case represents the culmination of a decade of work putting a system in place.”

Warning signs

A stroke is caused by sudden interruption of the blood supply to part of the brain. At the onset of one or more of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the boy

Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

Trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

Severe headache with no known cause

At first sign of stroke, act F.A.S.T.

F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Look to see if one side droops or the face is not symmetrical.

A – Arms: Have the person raise both arms in front of them at shoulder height. Watch to see if one arm drops lower than the other.

S – Speech: Ask the person a question or to repeat a phrase back to you. Listen for slurred or garbled speech or signs the person doesn’t understand what you have asked of them.

T – Time: If any of the three signs is present, time is of the essence. Call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to drive to the hospital yourself. Emergency medical responders will begin tests on the way to the hospital.

Testing

Wyoming Medical Center offers various methods of testing to make sure you get the right diagnosis.

Cerebral Angiography makes it possible for doctors to examine the inside of the arteries. A local anesthetic is given and a needle is inserted into the artery, usually in the leg. A catheter is then inserted through the needle into the artery and threaded through the main vessels of the abdomen and chest until it is in the proper location. A contrast dye is injected through the catheter and fluoroscope is used to project images of the vessels onto a monitor for the physician to examine.

Ultrasounds are non-invasive and can vary depending on the area of concern on the body. A carotid duplex is used to identify plaque build-up, blood clots of other problems with blood flow. A Doppler ultrasound is used to examine various veins and blood vessels in the body. Both involve the use of high-frequency sound waves that produce an image of the area being examined.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) involves the placement of electrodes on a person’s scalp. These electrodes are able to pick up electrical impulses and activity taking place inside the brain. The electrodes then transfer that information onto a graphical display printed out as brain waves.

Computed Tomography (CT or CAT Scan) creates a diagnostic image that is more detailed than ordinary X-rays and can show bone, blood and brain tissue. Typically a contrast dye is injected through a vein to help highlight internal structures. The CT/CAT scan is often used to identify hemorrhagic strokes.

Spinal Tap involves the insertion of a needle into the space surrounding the spinal cord to extract cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid is then tested to detect bleeding caused by a cerebral hemorrhage or other spinal condition.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is similar to an X-ray but uses large magnets and radio-frequency waves to produce the images of internal structures of the body. These images provide physicians with more detailed information than an X-ray can provide by creating clear images of the brain and brain stem. Physicians can then determine any signs of mini-strokes.

Treatment

Treatment methods recommended by your doctor can vary depending on your exact circumstances, such as your risk factors, overall health, age, severity of your condition and more. Some conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and more are commonly treated with prescription medications.

Surgical procedures for the sensitive areas of the brain and spinal cord can be serious, invasive procedures. Because of this, a neurologist will typically consider a treatment plan involving medication if successful results can be seen without the need for surgery. Some of the common brain and spine surgeries done at Wyoming Medical Center include:

Craniotomy involves the opening of the skill for neurosurgeons to access the brain for repair of various brain conditions. During this procedure, the patient is put under general anesthesia and is fully unconscious. The neurosurgeon shaves an area of the scalp and makes an incision through the scalp over the area where the brain condition exists. A hole is then drilled through the skill so the surgeon can access the brain. This procedure is commonly used to repair brain aneurysms, remove brain tumors or remove a blood clot.

Carotid Endarterectomy removes plaque from the carotid artery. Vascular surgeons widen the passageway of the artery, allowing for better blood flow. The artery is then repaired with sutures or a graft.

Spine Surgery can treat a variety of conditions, like herniated discs, degenerative disc disease and more. These procedures can typically be performed as a minimally invasive treatment, while sometimes invasive spine surgery may be necessary depending on the severity of the condition. Talk to your doctor to learn more about the spine treatment that best fits your spine condition.